Book Beginnings & Friday 56: The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap

Thursday, November 15, 2012

In the middle of the night, in the sleepy town of Red River Pass, a
lonely telegraph machine clicked away, with no one yet present to
receive its message, delivering in Morse code the news of a writer in
England who had just made legal history for being the first famous person convicted of committing acts of gross indecency.

Edra looked deep into Mildred’s eyes. They knew each other well
and in this moment, like so many that came before, they honed in on
what they felt and were thinking without words needing to pass between
them. It was times like this, in their hearts’ synchronicity, that they knew
the only answer was to continue to love, despite everything.

- p. 56

Synopsis:
The year 1895 was filled with memorable historical events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta address; Richard Olney, United States Secretary of State, expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in settling a boundary dispute between the United Kingdom and Venezuela; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under Britain’s recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense. When news of Wilde’s conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives of its citizens were impacted by the news of Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment. It is a chronicle of hatred and prejudice with all its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and friendship bring strength and healing.

I don't know anything about Oscar Wilde other than some of his work as an author. So I wonder about this one. What do you think? Is this something you'd read?

Like Sandy I love books that use a real life event to base the story around. Oscar Wilde was a a fascinating person and his court case was a travesty and a tragedy. Curious to see how this plays out in small town USA.

I was totally blown away when I received an e-mail from Aloi, that my book was featured here yesterday. This wonderful blogger did this for a complete stranger, an act of kindness I will not forget, not for me but for tolerance, and because all profits are going to animal rescue. I'm also grateful for all the comments here and to connect with new lovely people. I spent the last six years of my life researching and writing this book and believe me, all here, Oscar Wilde haunts my cells, his injustice a horrible dark stain, watershed time, in history for homophobia. If anyone cares to get in touch with me to chat or see more about the book I'll post a couple of links here. I'm humbled by the kindness, the words here, and amazed that this is what books do, they bring us together. Thank you so much.Paulette

Glad I came by to answer this really great question. First, please know it's a work of fiction and my ever busy mind put it in this small town for multiple reasons. I just answered that question on an interview wit Christina Hamlett if you want to have a look at it in more detail. My blog site is above with my post to everyone here.

The short answer is, when Wilde was imprisoned the news did in fact go out over telegraphs world wide. I found an NY Times article, dated April 5, 1895, that wrote about the immorality of it all. Research also shows that Wilde's imprisonment (it being a criminal act in Britain for men to be involved in "indecency" was big news) changed the attitude toward same sex relationships from one of a limited genteel tolerance to that of overt hostility and hatred. Where there were whispers in living rooms prior, now there were overt screams, not unlike the dialogue that opens in Chapter one of my book. News then went out around the world via telegraphs and pony express. A lot of small towns have gossip clicks, whether from boredom, intolerance, who knows... a juicy hot topic like this was just too much to contain, especially when the town had a very opinionated sociopath, like Josie Purdue (the antagonist to Mildred Dunlap).

Sure do hope this answered your question. If not, feel free to get in touch with me at either of the above links.

Sad, he died at that age, with one friend at his side. His words, his quotes, are some of the most remarkable of any I have ever read in terms of understanding the human condition. I am deeply moved by the unfortunate circumstances of his being born before his time, in terms of who he could freely love. He is a poster man, the metaphor, for so many who suffered intolerance--of all sorts. One of my favorite quotes of his, and I paraphrase: "Be yourself, everyone else is taken." I start each chapter in my book with a quote from him to keep him alive, in the book. Now, he's alive in my heart.

Hi - I found your link doing a blog hop. I'm following. I think Oscar Wilde was an amazing writer and one of my favorites is The Importance of Being Earnest.I'm following you. Please consider following me.Java With Jambor

I've actually read and reviewed this one, Yvonne. And Paulette Mahurin, the author, was really good at answring people's questions! Here's the link: http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.ca/2013/02/the-persecution-of-mildred-dunlap-by.html

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